Tuesday, 4 September
Just after 11 pm
Following the start of To Catch a Pack

Hopworts Brewing Co. was usually closed to the public on Tuesday, but Pollux was working late anyhow. Their special release beer to celebrate Minerva McGonagall’s promotion to the  Hogwarts School of Governors Chairwix was due to be released later that month, and he always ended up working nearly around the clock whenever they were actively brewing.

The pop on the back patio was unexpected, but not entirely surprising.

Sighing, he wiped his hands on his trousers. The unfortunate part about their little craft brewery’s growing popularity was that it was getting harder and harder to have a quiet night. Sraightening, Pollux went to meet whatever eager customer had to have a beer at close to midnight on a Tuesday night.

“Oi!” he called out. “We’re clos—!”

Except it wasn’t a customer.

Saoirse Dixon hovered in the back door, her usually-tamed curls out of place and everywhere, though she was clearly dressed for a night out. Her eyes were wide and wild, and she was trembling furiously.

Pollux stared at her for half a heartbeat before his brain kicked back in.

“Saoirse!”

He hurried to her. The witch usually looked young to him, but she was so shaken that she appeared especially so tonight. Pollux was hesitant to reach out and force contact on her, but when he held out an arm to her, she collapsed into it.

He gave her a minute as she sobbed, using his free hand to dig into the pocket of his apron for his wand. Outside, the moon was still nearly full, its pale yellow light enough to illuminate the back courtyard. It didn’t look like anyone had followed her.

Silently, he used his wand to shut the door, and then with a flick of the wrist, locked it.

It took a few minutes to get her settled. He’d gotten her a glass of water (beer was the answer to most problems, but probably not the best solution in a time like this) and let her sit until she was ready to talk.

Finally, she took a shuddering breath and met his gaze fearfully.

“They r-raided Lapin.”

Pollux blinked, and then peered at her a bit more intently.

He’d never asked about the fact that his employee tended to take days off around the full moon, and Saoirse had never offered. Similarly, he’d pretended not to hear when her friends had come to visit at the brewery and they’d talked excitedly about their plans to visit the mysterious Lapin later. As far as Pollux was concerned, just because he could put two and two together didn’t mean he had a right to announce the answer to anyone else.

Who they were went unspoken. It felt like there were plenty of groups that might try to attack a werewolf bar, but only one that would raid it.

“What happened?” he asked her, feeling the tension building in his shoulders.

Maybe his sister was going to get her story after all.